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A Motorcycle Accident Requires A Lawyer Who Understands Motorcyclists

Motor Cycle Accident

As an avid motorcyclist myself, I know that no matter how experienced a rider you are, the biggest threat on the road continues to be other negligent drivers. The most common cause of a motorcycle or scooter accident is a driver negligently making a left-hand turn in front of a rider at an intersection because they “didn’t even see you coming.”

Motorcycle accidents can be devastating for you and your loved ones. You will need compensation for your immediate needs as well as compensation for any future complications that could arise, such as the following:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent scarring or disability
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Traumatic spinal injury
  • Inability to work
  • Lost wages
  • Road rash
  • Broken bones

Typically, insurance companies will not have your best interest in mind. Insurance companies are in the business of making money, which they accomplish by creating confusion for you, employing delay tactics, and ultimately not paying the full value of your claim. You need an experienced attorney to deal with the insurance company while you stay focused on recovering from your injuries. Call (267) 225-3317 and ask to speak with Troy Crichton. Troy will ensure that you get every dime from that insurance company. Get him fighting for you today!

Our lawyers will go above and beyond to help you after a crash. In addition to making sure you’re fully compensated for your injuries, our lawyers will handle the property damage claim, negotiate your medical bills, and deal with the insurance company to save you money—all at no extra cost to you! There is never any fee until you get paid.

What Makes Motorcycle Accidents Different From Auto Accident Cases When It Comes To Injuries And Coverage?

The key difference between a motorcycle accident and an automobile accident is that you are likely to be dealing with much more significant injuries in a motorcycle accident. On a motorcycle, there is no metal around you to protect you and you are much more susceptible to bodily injury. In Pennsylvania, you are also going to be dealing with a whole different set of insurance coverage. Motorcycle cases are automatically full tort in Pennsylvania. However, the most important thing to have on your motorcycle policy is uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage because that is the coverage that is going to cover you in the event that the at-fault party is not insured or underinsured. In a motorcycle accident, there is a good chance that your injuries will exceed the at-fault driver’s policy limits and you will have to access your own insurance in order to be fully compensated…Read More

How Much Is My Motorcycle Claim Worth?

Motorcycle accidents can cause severe injuries to riders and their passengers. Many of these injuries are catastrophic or permanently disabling. Catastrophic injuries can include brain or spinal cord injuries, traumatic tattooing from road rash, loss of limb, and multiple bone fractures. When an injured motorcyclist seeks restitution for an accident, the list can include many different damages, such as the following:

  • Medical expenses (e.g. past and future hospitals stays, emergency care, surgeries, rehabilitation, therapies, medical devices, and prescriptions)
  • Past and future pain and suffering (e.g. physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental duress the victim may have experienced because of the accident)
  • Lost wages and lost earning opportunities
  • Property damages (e.g. the expense of repairing a damaged motorcycle or replacing a totaled vehicle)

A motorcycle accident injury claim’s value will depend on the severity of injuries, the amount of losses, the actions of the defendant, and many other factors.

Motorcycle Laws in Pennsylvania

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The state of Pennsylvania has over 850,000 licensed motorcyclists. With so many motorcyclists on the roads, safety is a main priority of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). One of the best ways to stay safe and prevent deadly collisions is to obey the law and be mindful of the following:

Rules of the road: Motorcyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers, which means they must obey all traffic laws, rules, and regulations. Motorcyclists must obey posted speed limits and stop signs, and yield the right-of-way when applicable. They may ride two abreast of one another, but not with a motor vehicle. Motorcyclists cannot lane split in Pennsylvania.

Class M license: An individual must obtain a Class M (motorcycle) license to lawfully operate a motorcycle. This requires the person to pass a knowledge test and ride with a learner’s permit for one year. Riders under the age of 18 must have a learner’s permit for at least six months, as well as 65 supervised hours of riding before the skills test.

Seating safety: Motorcyclists and their passengers must sit on permanently attached seats, and each must have footrests. Passengers may only sit behind the operator while the vehicle is in motion. Riders must be able to use both hands to control the motorcycle, and cannot be holding anything that compromises this ability.

Equipment requirements: Handlebars cannot exceed shoulder height. The motorcycle must have a red light to the rear and a working headlight. All motorcycle equipment must be in proper working condition. Motorcycles must undergo safety inspections annually, based on the month of vehicle registration.

Obeying the state’s motorcycle laws can help you prevent a collision. It can also keep you out of legal trouble and help you avoid traffic citations and fines. Following the rules makes Philadelphia’s roads safer for everyone. If a driver infringes upon a motorcyclist’s rights to the road and causes an accident, then that driver could be liable for damages. Learn more by speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Philadelphia.

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Helmet Law

Pennsylvania law requires all motorcyclists under the age of 21 to wear a helmet. This includes both operators and riders. If the person is over 21 years of age, he or she must still wear a helmet until the rider has at least two years of riding experience or completes an approved motorcycle safety course. To meet the guidelines of a federally approved helmet, the helmet must have a DOT sticker.

Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Pennsylvania

The main cause of motorcycle accidents in Philadelphia is human error. Mistakes and negligence from a driver, motorcyclist, part manufacturer, construction zone manager, and other parties can cause deadly collisions. It is up to the injured motorcyclist (or his or her Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney) to identify the at-fault party and prove fault during a claim. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents include the following:

  • Speeding
  • Reckless driving
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Failure to yield right of way
  • Unsafe lane changing
  • Cars making left-hand turns
  • Defective vehicles
  • Dangerous roadways
  • Bad weather

Many cases involve more than one injury cause and potential defendant. For example, a vehicle driver may have caused a motorcycle accident through an act of negligence, but a part manufacturer could share the blame for creating defective motorcycle brakes (products liability actions). In these cases, all parties at fault for the crash could be jointly and severally liable for damages.

Statute Of Limitations For Motorcycle Accidents In Pennsylvania

A statute of limitations is a law providing a time limit by which claimants must file personal injury claims. Statutes of limitations differ from state to state. In Pennsylvania, injured motorcycle accident victims have two years from the date of their accident to bring their claim against a negligent party. A wrongful death lawsuit has a limit of two years from the date of the individual’s death to file a claim.

Philadelphia Lawyer For Your Motorcycle Accident Case

If you believe that you have a motorcycle injury case, Troy R. Crichton can help. He is an experienced litigator and avid motorcyclist who can help assist you through every part of your legal case. Contact us for your free case evaluation.

All of our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency basis, so you won’t pay unless you receive a monetary award for your case.

If you want to know more about Motorcycle Accidents, you can read informational blogs here.

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